Writing with young children is important because it supports the development of reading. When Children write, they think about what they know about print and how it works. When they engage in meaningful writing experiences, they will be encouraged to explore and learn more about print. All the while they are also learning about reading.
Our school, PREMIER SCHOOL AFFILIATED TO HOU KONG MIDDLE SCHOOL held a practical workshop about how we can assist in the development of our students to write confidently at an early age.
Ms. Mandi Laurent, a P1 teacher from Ellensburg Washington USA, spent a week teaching and educating the teachers and parents about her expertise in literacy.
Miss Mandi modeled a P1 writing lessons called “The Best Part of Me” which gave students the opportunity to share in a simple writing format, their ideas about the best part concerning themselves. She mentioned that through this simple yet meaningful writing exercise, she got to know the students in just 40 minutes.
In addition to this, she also led the English corner in the library for K2, K3 students and their caregivers. They participated in several activities such as storytelling, both fiction and non-fiction.
Furthermore, she conducted several workshops for P1 and P2 teachers, also for kindergarten teachers as well. These interactive workshops covered topics like; writing tools, mentor texts, planning to write strategies, choice in writing, writing folders and loads more. She also demonstrated and discussed the writing stages from K1 to P2.
On her last evening, she guided her final lecture for the parents of the students from K1,2,3 and also P1 and 2. At this lecture she focused on ways parents could support and encourage writing at home. She wanted to instill in the parent that writing is a life skill, not just a subject in the school but it is a part of the students’ daily lives inside and outside the classroom.
In conclusion, the lectures and experiences shared had a great impact, not only to the teachers but to the parents as well. Helping the kids to develop naturally, creates confident authors and creative illustrators in the future.
“Writing can be so easily incorporated outside of the school in various settings.”—— Ms. Mandi Laurent
